Wall Colmonoy opened an advanced machining operation in southern Wales last month, a 23,500-ft2 shop that anchors the group’s European Operations and also several centuries of mining and metallurgical history in the Pontardawe area. The Welsh government granted more than $3 million to the project, which was developed at a cost of $14 million.

Michigan-based Wall Colmonoy manufactures high-temperature, nickel-based, cobalt-based, and iron-based alloys for wear-resistant coatings and high-temperature brazing filler metals. It also produces cast products and engineered components, and it indicated that the new European capacity would address growing demand for its products and services.

Wall Colmonoy said the investment will add production capacity, processes, and equipment with quality, speed, and efficiency that will help it to achieve Lean manufacturing initiatives. Also, it said the new investment will both safeguard existing and create new jobs.

“The decision to expand here in Pontardawe is a great boost for manufacturing in Wales,” Wall Colmonoy’s chairman and CEO Bill Clark said.